ICAF 2023: NCC harps on regulations to ensure safety of consumers
By Akinyemi Precious
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has harped on the need for proactive regulations to be enacted to ensure the safety of consumers.
The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta made it known at the 2nd quarter 2023 industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF) meeting (Open Forum) held yesterday.
The forum with the theme; ‘Combating E-fraud on Telecom Platforms and building consumer confidence in the digital economy’ focused on proposals and suggestions that could help solve the problem of cybercrimes in Nigeria as they must be addressed and in a timely manner.
The Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF) Chairman, Mr Mazi Akpa Emeka in his remarks attributed the increase in fraudulent activities to the rise in digital adoption.
Delivering a keynote address at the forum, Prof. Danbatta said, “We must address growing concerns of fraudulent activities in the digital realm and take proactive measures to safeguard the trust and confidence of consumers.
“E-fraud encompasses a wide range of malicious activities carried out via electronic means, including identity theft, phishing, hacking, and unauthorised access to personal and financial information, with the intention to defraud or take advantage of victims.
“We must establish comprehensive legal frameworks and standards that mandate sound security practices for telecom operators. The legal framework must focus on data protection, privacy and incident response, ensuring that operators are held accountable for any lapses in security on their respective networks,” He continued.
He added that telecom operators must therefore invest in robust infrastructure, employ state-of-the-art security measures, and conduct regular audits to identify vulnerabilities and address them promptly.
“Additionally, operators should implement stringent authentication protocols, two-factor authentication, and encryption mechanisms to safeguard customer data and prevent unauthorized access,” He noted.
Addressing how personal data is collected, stored, shared and exploited, he said that NDEPS 2020-2030 adequately addresses the protection of telecom consumers against the threats of cybercrime, encouraging them to embrace digital finance and supporting them to contribute to the Digital Economy.
He also made it known that recently, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 was signed into law to provide a legal framework for the protection of personal information and the regulation of how personal information is processed, among other things.
He adedd that the NCC is also in the process of developing more elaborate Data Protection Regulations to ensure the protection and privacy of data in the Nigerian communications sector noting that the Commission has issued the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2007 which among other things, provides for the protection of consumer information.
“Law Enforcement Agencies must also collaborate closely with telecom operators and regulatory bodies to investigate and prosecute e-fraud perpetrators. Enhanced coordination, information sharing, and dedicated cybercrime units can go a long way in deterring criminals and bringing them to justice. Strengthening international cooperation in combating cross-border e-fraud is also imperative, as cybercriminals often exploit jurisdictional limitations,” He said.
Prof. Danbatta also emphasised that combatting e-fraud is not just the responsibility of industry stakeholders and authorities. Consumers too, must be active participants in this battle against e-fraud.
